GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Gs advice

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-05-12, 03:59 PM
  #1  
jminor
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
jminor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ont
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Gs advice

Guys was thinking about a gs400 but happened upon a 2003 gs430 and drove it the other day. My question is are there noticeable differences between the 400 and 430, should I still try to find a 400 to drive? This 430 is a nice car priced in our range w the mileage and condition we are after
Old 11-05-12, 05:05 PM
  #2  
Lazy
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
 
Lazy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Socal
Posts: 1,720
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

IMO the gs430 has more of a luxury feel to it compared to the sporty gs400.
Old 11-05-12, 05:09 PM
  #3  
CMY4D
Driver School Candidate
 
CMY4D's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would go 4.3 the 4.0 will most likely nickel and dime you to death.
Old 11-06-12, 03:38 AM
  #4  
lexusben
Lead Lap
iTrader: (3)
 
lexusben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

There are subtle differences between the two vehicles.

GS 400 has E-Shift, GS 430 does not.
GS 400 has more Power at the top of the band, GS 430 has smooth linear power through out.
GS 430 has more wood
GS 430 has day time running lights ( I think the 2000 GS 400's have these, too, but my 98 does not)
GS 430 has green tinted headlights
GS 430 has larger Caster Arm Bushings
GS 400 and GS 430 have different Premium sound systems (Nakamichi vs. Levinson)
GS 430 has more C-Best Settings

There are other differences, but these are all I can think of for now.
Old 11-06-12, 06:04 AM
  #5  
LuxuryGS3
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (12)
 
LuxuryGS3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 2,292
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

GS430 no doubt.
Old 11-06-12, 11:30 AM
  #6  
Arcadian
Intermediate
 
Arcadian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ALberta
Posts: 484
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by CMY4D
I would go 4.3 the 4.0 will most likely nickel and dime you to death.
Can you be more specific? Certain parts?
Old 11-06-12, 06:18 PM
  #7  
minjarre
Driver School Candidate
iTrader: (4)
 
minjarre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: VA
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Ive owned both and what it really comes down to is which color you prefer and the miles that you come across on it, oh the price is usually huge too.
Old 11-07-12, 09:28 AM
  #8  
ninja6o4
Pole Position
iTrader: (6)
 
ninja6o4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WA/BC
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I've owned both too. The biggest difference that bugs me is the GS430 has the electronic throttle/drive by wire thingy, which adds what I feel to be a significant delay in throttle response. The GS400 did not have this delay. There are times waiting to turn left that I hesitate because I know my car won't jump the instant I hit the gas.
Old 11-07-12, 09:34 AM
  #9  
EN_VY
Lexus Champion
 
EN_VY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: TX
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

The only thing I like about the GS400 is the e-shift. Other then that GS430 all day.... Didn't Blitz make a throttle controller for the 430? Or was that for the 400?
Old 11-07-12, 10:38 AM
  #10  
BayAreaLex
Instructor
 
BayAreaLex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 1,224
Received 55 Likes on 44 Posts
Default

I'm not sure what you are even debating here.

Get the newer, more powerful version. GS430 all the way.
Old 11-07-12, 02:07 PM
  #11  
ThomasGS4
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (19)
 
ThomasGS4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: TX
Posts: 9,491
Received 373 Likes on 218 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by CMY4D
I would go 4.3 the 4.0 will most likely nickel and dime you to death.
I'm curious to see what your reasoning behind this is.
Old 11-07-12, 03:52 PM
  #12  
BayAreaLex
Instructor
 
BayAreaLex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 1,224
Received 55 Likes on 44 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by ThomasGS4
I'm curious to see what your reasoning behind this is.
There is no reasoning behind that statement, at least not valid reasoning.
Old 11-07-12, 07:23 PM
  #13  
1sWt2GS
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (6)
 
1sWt2GS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: soCAL
Posts: 6,509
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

gs300 is always good too
Old 11-07-12, 08:51 PM
  #14  
AVSRacing
Instructor
 
AVSRacing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: W
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 0
Received 90 Likes on 79 Posts
Default

I have 430 and I love it, I can't imagine how bad it feels to have 220hp to move such a heavy car. Yes there is a lag if you punch it, but honestly my car rarely hits above 1800 rpm for daily driving due to enough torque. Later down the road il get a blitz or apexi throttle controller to fix the lag but it doesn't bother me too much
Old 11-08-12, 04:53 AM
  #15  
michal5000
Rookie
 
michal5000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question

OP, you may want to check this:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-analysis.html

Very informative thread. Basing on what is stated there, I would definitely go with GS400 if only I lived in the States (they are extremely rare in Europe, much more 430's here).
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LexFather
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
121
05-13-14 09:01 PM
nick02895
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
7
11-03-11 08:23 PM
archangels
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
2
02-20-08 02:12 PM
98LexusGS
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
9
05-27-05 09:24 AM
nyczdave
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
14
08-31-04 07:27 PM



Quick Reply: Gs advice



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:31 AM.